DECONGESTANTS
Decongestants are medicines
used to relieve nasal congestion (stuffy nose).
Purpose
A congested or stuffy nose is a common symptom of colds and
allergies. This congestion results when membranes lining the nose
become swollen. Decongestants relieve the swelling by narrowing the
blood vessels that supply blood to the nose. This reduces the blood
supply to the swollen membranes, causing the membranes to shrink.
These medicines do not cure colds or reverse the effects of
histamines - chemicals released as part of the allergic reaction.
They will not relieve all of the symptoms associated with colds and
allergies, only the stuffiness.
When considering whether to use a decongestant for cold symptoms,
keep in mind that most colds go away with or without treatment and
that taking medicine is not the only way to relieve a stuffy nose.
Drinking hot tea or broth or eating chicken soup may help.
Description
Decongestants are sold in many forms, including tablets, capsules,
caplets, gel caps, liqui-caps, liquids, nasal sprays, and nose
drops. These drugs are sometimes combined with other medicines in
cold and allergy products designed to relieve several symptoms. Some
decongestant products require a physician's prescription but there
are also many non-prescription (over-the-counter) products.
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